Haru Kobayashi was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. She picked up soft tennis at age 14 and immediately fell in love with the sport. Soft tennis is a sport that originated in Japan, and its primary difference from regular tennis is the use of rubber balls rather than the traditional hard yellow balls.
According to Kobayashi, she started playing soft tennis so she could be closer with one of her friends and found out that it was the perfect sport for her. She continued to play for five years in Japan. Then she decide to sign up for an exchange program that brought her to the U.S. Although the countries have various cultural differences, Kobayashi found it easy to adapt to her new environment.
Kobayashi attended her senior year of high school in Pennsylvania. While there, she started to look at colleges that would allow her to financially continue recieving an education in the U.S. After searching around, she decided that Oswego State would be the perfect place for her. So, she packed her bags again and moved to New York to continue her education as a Laker.
Kobayashi was drawn to the idea of moving to New York because to her, New York just seemed like a cool place to be. “I was okay with language, so I didn’t have any difficulties with coming to here,” Kobayashi said. Kobayashi came to the U.S without her parents, which was one of the hardest struggles with her transition. “It’s exciting, but it’s sad at the same time because I really loved living in Tokyo with my family,” Kobayashi said. “Here I have a lot of friends around me and I’m really comfortable.” Kobayashi said that she has gotten so used to being in the U.S. that moving back to Tokyo permanently would be a hard decision for her to make. Majoring in business, Kobayashi intended on coming to Oswego to focus on her education.
One of her long-term goals is to help out at her father’s growing business back at home. “My father needs somebody that can speak English and I want to help him,” Kobayashi said. After settling into Oswego, Kobayashi decided to give tennis another try.
Little did she know she was exactly what women’s tennis coach Shane Evans was looking for. “I sent out a flyer that I made around campus and at the time, I wanted more bodies to look at,” Evans said. Coincidentally, one was placed in Hart Hall, where Kobayashi was living at the time. She reached out to Evans via email, and they set up her tryout.
According to Evans, as soon as he saw her hit the ball a few times, he knew he wanted her on the team. “She brings a lot of positive energy, and you never see her stress over the sport,” Evans said. “She brings a lighter side to the team, and we all kind of relax in her presence.” Evans recalled that Kobayashi had a strong start with the team after winning her first singles match against LeMoyne College. “I had no idea that she would be such an essential component on this team,” said Evans. “She really took me by surprise with just how good she is and how she can keep herself composed on the court.”
Kobayashi was recognized for her hard work by being named athlete of the week following her win in the match against Elmira College. As for the future, Kobayashi can see herself continuing her love for the sport post graduation.
But for now, she is enjoying every second on the court and is grateful for her experience with the Lakers. “Being on this team improved my life greatly,” said Kobayashi. “So, I just want to be on this team and have fun with my teammates.”
Photo: Haofeng Deng | The Oswegonian
